佚名/Anonymous
When William, a 10-year old boy and somewhat scruffy looking enrolled himself to learn the piano, the music teacher was reluctant to accept him. She preferred her students to start their music lessons at a younger age when their fingers are nimble.
“William, why do you want to learn the piano?”the teacher asked.“I want to play for my mother.”She noticed the tears in his eyes as he answered her. She had no heart to turn him down and accepted William as her student. But at each music lesson, William appeared to be in a hurry and played badly.“My mother is waiting outside for me.”he would tell the teacher. She was tempted to advise William not to waste his time as he never hit the right note. But there was something about William, which she was fascinated with-the tender look of his eyes each time he mentioned“mother.”
Suddenly, William stopped coming for his lessons. At the end of the semester year, the music teacher decided to organize a piano recital for her students and she sent flyers to them to participate. She was surprised to find William’s application that he would like to contribute a musical piece. The music teacher was taken aback. She again had no heart to turn him down. She would put him as the last player in case he stumbled with his notes, she would come forward to remedy the situation.
The day came and William appeared with his hair uncombed and his shirt creased. He sat quietly with his eyes closed. When it was his turn to play, William bowed before the audience and said he was thankful for the music teacher’s patience with him as he may not have been the best of her pupils.
“Tonight I am dedicating my music to my mother.”he said. As he sat down and put his fingers on the keyboard, the most beautiful sound of music was heard. Everyone later asked why William did not bring his mother as she would surely be proud to hear him play.
William replied,“My mother was stone deaf and she could never hear me play during her life time. Yet she sacrificed her time and money to let me learn the piano. This morning mother passed away. I am sure she is now happy as she can hear my piano recital. I chose a piece from Beethoven’s concerto. As you all know, Beethoven was submerged with deafness at the triumph of his career. The piece symbolized his struggle for freedom from tyranny and released him from darkness and so was mother.”Everyone was electrified to hear what William said and tears welled over their eyes.